This was a very interesting product review to complete.  I wondered how I would do a blog post without sharing too much information, but some of you
may be like me and really want to know another person’s opinion of this type of product.

SPOILER ALERT: I will not be posting any “AFTER” photos because, ummm…. no —   That’s just too much.  But, I can say, this: I was able to use the product over the course of two days and clean it with minimal effort.

About the Cup:

Brisa is a soft and comfortable menstrual cup made with 100% medical grade silicone. This cup is FDA approved and collects the menstrual flow internally instead of absorbing it, which prevents the dryness and irritation women often experience while using tampons.

Selecting Your Size:

One of the first decisions you need to make when considering a menstrual cup is to find the size that will best fit your cervix.

Brisa Size Options:

1 – Small – If you have a low / medium cervix, light or regular flow, or have never given birth vaginally.

2 – Large – If you have a medium / high cervix, have given birth vaginally, or have a heavy flow.

Since I have yet to give birth and have a low cervix, I went with the small size, despite the fact that I often have a heavier flow.  I figured I would take a few bathroom breaks and monitor the flow the first day to see how quickly the cup filled up. For added peace of mind the first day, I also decided to wear my cup along with a pantyliner while I adjusted to the cup.

 

Inserting and Wearing the Cup is Easy and Comfortable:

I thought this would be one of the most awkward parts (second only to removing the cup), but it really wasn’t. The directions are straight-forward and easy to follow.  You basically fold the cup in half and in half again. Then you allow it to open up and create a natural seal (this will make more sense once you have your own cup). 🙂

I can have a very heavy flow during my cycle and this means that I have to wear “Ultra “or “Super Plus Tampons” at some point during my period. If you’ve ever worn one of these you know they area LARGE and uncomfortable!  Wearing this cup was such a pleasant alternative. I really didn’t think about the fact that I was wearing the cup until I went to the restroom and remembered that I had it on. Per the manufacturer, once you have inserted the cup you can keep it for up to 12 hours (according to your flow).

Removing the cup was also just as easy. I used this towards the end of my cycle so my flow was relatively low. I followed the product directions to remove the item (removing it similar to how one would remove a tampon) and never had any issues with the cup spilling. I will add a few pointers here.  I “prepared myself” for removing the cup by grabbing a few pieces of tissue and having them on hand. Then, I simply took the cup, noted where the liquid was relative to the markings on the cup and dumped the liquid into the toilet.  It is possible to clean the cup with tissue if you are unable to rinse it before inserting it again, but I followed the directions provided on rinsing the cup with water before using it again during the day. And I’m still alive. 😀

 

Peace of Mind:

I was hesitant to do it, but I wore it to bed– and I didn’t have any accidents!  It was great. It really is an AMAZING feeling when you realize that you do not need to think about changing a pad or tampon every 4-6 hours.

For my comfort and personal peace of mind, I cleaned it using the same feminine wash that I use daily.  I thought this would be more sanitary than using traditional soap and water to clean and store the item.  After it was completely dry, I placed it back in the satin storage pouch until I need to use it next month.

I will definitely use this again. Overall, one of the most pleasant surprises was how comfortable wearing this cup was.  I thought it would be more uncomfortable than wearing a tampon, but it was QUITE the opposite– especially when sitting for extended sessions.

Give it a chance, YOUR BODY is going to thank you!